Tom Reynolds, a London paramedic whose blog, Random Acts of Reality has attracted a strong following, is preparing to spend New Year's Eve on the streets of the capital. He writes:
I'm a glutton for punishment.
As a London Ambulance Service emergency medical technician (EMT), I spend a large amount of my time whizzing around town going from one drunk person to another. This New Year's Eve, I've volunteered to do so on foot. In central London.
Instead of having a warm and well lit ambulance, I'm exposed to the elements. I'm also carrying most of the ambulance equipment on my back. It's long 12-hour shift.
Earlier, I'd spoken to a friend of who had done the same duty some years ago. Recalling it, his face visibly blanched and a small twitch started in the corner of his eye.
"Nightmare", he stuttered, staring into his tea. "I'd never do it again."
I realise what the night could be like - thousands of people will be intent on drinking until they fall over. The streets could be running with glittering steams of spilled drinks, urine and blood. The blue strobes of police and ambulance vehicles and the lights of takeaway shops will provide the illumination.
I don't expect to be disappointed - the centre of London will be packed with people intent on getting falling-down drunk. It's a badge of honour, don't you know.
For some reason, the name "Hogarth" is floating around in my head.
Most of the shift will probably be spent rolling unconscious drunks into the recovery position to await the arrival of the Alternative Response Vehicle, or "drunk bus", as we like to call it. It's shameful that we have to have such a vehicle.
I'm just one of the few extra staff from the ambulance service there to back up our colleagues who already work the area. We are also being assisted by St John Ambulance and, of course, there are a fair number of police there.
I doubt that any of the pubs and clubs that are making fortunes tonight will be paying for the extra staffing.
Check Tom's blog for updates as the revelry progresses - his workload permitting. The wellbeing of the public obviously comes first ...
